Region: Andalucia

Province: Córdoba

Declared a Natural Park: 1988

Park surface area: 32,056 hectares

Points of interest:

Set in the middle of Andalucia this is a limestone semi-mountainous area with a rolling hills and a high point of 1.570 m named la Tiñosa.

The main economy is from olive oil, therefore much of the area has olive grove plantations. There are many historical remains in the locality. Cueva Murciélagos or Bats cave held remains from the Neolithic period.

Flora:

Holm oak (Quercus ilex) woods have a shrubby companion mixture of Lentisc, Wild olive, Retama and Peonies. Hawthorn, Spurge laurel, Gorse and Purple Phlomis occupy the open areas exposed to the sun. Gall oaks (Quercus faginea) are to be found on the northern slopes in more humid parts along with Laurustinus, Kermes oak, Buckthorn, Smilax and Strawberry trees. The highest regions which are exposed to the elements contain the hedgehog zone or low, compact spiny plants including Alyssum spinosum and Hedgehog broom (Erinacea anthyllis).

River banks hold Poplar, Willow, Hawthorn, Tamarisk, Southern nettle tree and Brambles.

Fauna:

Raptors to be seen around the park are Golden, Short toed, Booted, Bonelli’s and Imperial eagles, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, Eagle owl, Griffon vulture and Peregrine falcon.

On high rocky outcrops look for Alpine accentor, Blue Rock Thrush and Rock Thrush, whereas near water you may find Dipper, Kingfisher, various Warblers and Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii).

Mammals include Wild boar, Spanish ibex, Stone marten, Fox, Rabbit, Hedgehog and Wild cat.

Sierra Subbetica has the most southerly population of the Miller's water shrew Neomys anomalus. These red-toothed shrews add fish, amphibians, and crustaceans to their diet of worms and insects. They are adapted to their aquatic life by having long, stiff hairs on the rear feet that add surface area, increase traction, and trap air bubbles that enable them to scamper over the water surface and help them to swim.

Also at the rivers are the viperine snake and stripe-necked terrapin.

Also in the area:

“Cuevas de las Murciélagos” - Bat Cave, near Zuheros was first recorded in 1868, but not explored until 1938.It contains impressive stalagmites and stalactites with underground lakes and caverns. Importantly it also holds unique rock paintings.

Neolithic burial remains discovered in the cave show evidence of human occupation of the caves dating from over 35,000 years ago.

Some of the finds from the cave are housed in the archaeological museum in Zuheros.

Almedinilla village also has a museum, set in an old watermill. The village has the remains of a Roman villa complex.

Many historical remains have been discovered in the area from the Bronze age, Iberian, Phoenician and Roman eras. Cabre became one of the first Christian strongholds in the Roman province of Betica.

Information/Visitors Centers:

"Santa Rita" near Cabra - A340 road to Priego de Córdoba at Km 57.